Adjustable toilet valve assembly

ABSTRACT

An outflow valve assembly for a toilet tank is disclosed, wherein the valve assembly comprises a base including an opening for passing water out of the toilet tank, a valve portion including a lower outflow tube section extending upwardly from the base and having a hollow interior, and also including a flush valve for discharging water from the toilet tank when opened, and an upper overflow tube adjustably coupled to and extending vertically upward from the lower outflow tube section. In some embodiments, the flush valve includes a flapper valve disposed on the side of the lower outflow tube section. In other embodiments, the flush valve is formed by a surface of the lower outflow tube section resting against a surface of the base.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/679,219, filed Oct. 2, 2003, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/304,309, filed Nov. 25, 2002, which is acontinuation-in-part of PCT Application Ser. No. PCT/US02/01824, filedon Jan. 18, 2002, which claims priority from U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/957,812, filed on Sep. 20, 2001, and from U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/765,690, filed on Jan. 19, 2001. All of theabove applications are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to toilet outflow valve systems. Moreparticularly, the invention provides toilet outflow valve assemblieswith improved adjustability.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the past, most toilets manufactured in the U.S. dischargedapproximately 3-5 gallons of water per flush. More recently, however,concerns with water conservation, combined with federal law requiringnew toilets to have a maximum discharge volume of 1.6 gallons per flush,have led to the development of new water-conserving toilet systems andvarious devices for reducing the water consumption of older toilets.

One example of a device used to increase the efficiency of older toiletsis a dual flush-volume toilet tank outflow valve assembly. Dual flushvalve assemblies utilize separate flush valves that discharge differentamounts of water for flushing solid and liquid waste. In one type ofdual flush-volume valve assembly, a high-volume flush valve ispositioned near the bottom of the toilet tank to pass a higher volume ofwater for flushing solid waste, and a low-volume flush valve ispositioned higher in the toilet tank for passing a lower volume of waterfor flushing liquid waste. Thus, a user may select a high-volume flushwhen clogging presents a problem, and otherwise use a low-volume flush.

An alternative device to reduce the water consumption of older toilets,without requiring the conversion to a dual flush valve arrangement, isto modify volume of water passed by the flush valve during each flushcycle. This can pose a problem, however, as toilet outflow valveassemblies provide little, if any, adjustment of the amount of water tobe drained from the toilet tank as it is flushed. Moreover, the volumeof water that a particular toilet outflow valve assembly will pass isdependent upon the shape of the toilet tank. As an example, when usingan outflow valve assembly of a selected height, more water will bedischarged from a taller tank than from a shorter tank. This may causeproblems with flushing, as an inadequate amount of water to flush wastefrom the toilet bowl may be discharged if the maximum water level in thetoilet tank is insufficient. Conversely, if the height of an outflowvalve assembly were selected higher than required to provide an adequateamount of water to flush waste from the toilet bowl, then water wouldeffectively be wasted during each flush cycle.

SUMMARY

Some embodiments provide an outflow valve assembly for a toilet tank,wherein the valve assembly comprises a base including an opening forpassing water out of the toilet tank, a valve portion including a loweroutflow tube section extending upwardly from the base and having ahollow interior, and also including a flush valve for discharging waterfrom the toilet tank when opened, and an upper overflow tube adjustablycoupled to and extending vertically upward from the lower outflow tubesection. In some embodiments, the flush valve includes a flapper valvedisposed on the side of the lower outflow tube section. In otherembodiments, the flush valve is formed by a surface of the lower outflowtube section resting against a surface of the base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a dual-volume configuration of a modularoutflow valve assembly according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention positioned in a toilet tank, assembled in a dual flush-volumeconfiguration.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, with thelow volume flush valve in a first, lower position relative to the highvolume flush valve.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, with thelow volume flush valve in a second, higher position relative to the highvolume flush valve.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a second embodiment of an outflowvalve assembly according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a third embodiment of an outflowvalve assembly according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a partially sectioned view of the embodiment of FIG. 5, withboth valves in closed positions.

FIG. 7 is a partially sectioned view of the embodiment of FIG. 5, withthe high volume flush valve in an open position.

FIG. 8 is a partially sectioned view of the embodiment of FIG. 5, withthe low volume flush valve in an open position.

FIG. 9 is an exploded isometric view of a first embodiment of a flushmechanism suitable for use with an outflow valve assembly of the presentinvention.

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of the flush mechanism of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is an isometric view of the flush mechanism of FIG. 9,illustrating the operation of the handle for a low-volume flush.

FIG. 12 is an isometric view of the flush mechanism of FIG. 9,illustrating the operation of the release button for a high-volumeflush.

FIG. 13 is an isometric view of the flush mechanism of FIG. 9,illustrating the operation of the handle for a high-volume flush.

FIG. 14 is an exploded isometric view of a second embodiment of a flushmechanism suitable for use with an outflow valve assembly of the presentinvention.

FIG. 15 is an exploded isometric view of a third embodiment of a flushmechanism suitable for use with an outflow valve assembly of the presentinvention.

FIG. 16 is an exploded isometric view of a fourth embodiment of a flushmechanism suitable for use with the present invention.

FIG. 17 is an exploded isometric view of a fifth embodiment of a flushmechanism suitable for use with the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a partially-sectioned side view of a sixth embodiment of aflush mechanism suitable for use with the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a sectional view of the flush mechanism of FIG. 18,illustrating the operation of the flush mechanism for a low-volumeflush.

FIG. 20 is a sectional view of the flush mechanism of FIG. 18,illustrating the operation of the flush mechanism for a high-volumeflush.

FIG. 21 is an isometric view of an embodiment of an alternate handlemechanism suitable for use with an outflow valve assembly according tothe present invention.

FIG. 22 is a side elevational view of a single-volume configuration ofan embodiment of a modular outflow valve assembly according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 23 is a side elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 1,assembled in a single flush-volume configuration.

FIG. 24 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of a modulartoilet valve assembly according to the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a side elevational view of the embodiment of FIGS. 5-8,assembled in a single flush-volume configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DEPICTED EMBODIMENTS

Various embodiments of the present invention provide modular single ordual flush-volume toilet tank outflow valve assemblies that may beeasily converted between single and dual flush-volume configurations.Furthermore, various embodiments of the dual flush-volume configurationsoffer improved adjustability and flush performance compared to knowndual valve assemblies.

A first embodiment of a modular valve assembly according to the presentinvention is shown generally at 10 in FIG. 1, positioned in a toilettank 12 and assembled in a dual flush-volume configuration. Modularvalve assembly 10 includes a base 14 with which it may be mounted to theinside of toilet tank 12.

A lower outflow tube section 16 extends upwardly from base 14, and ahigh volume flush valve 18 is positioned on the lower outflow tubesection adjacent the bottom of the interior of toilet tank 12. Highvolume flush valve 18 is configured to empty essentially all water fromtoilet tank 12 when opened to provide a higher volume flush for flushingsolid wastes. An upper outflow tube section 20 is slidably coupled tolower outflow tube section 16, and a low volume flush valve 22 ispositioned on the upper outflow tube section. Low volume flush valve 22is configured to empty toilet tank 12 only partially, thus providing awater-saving, smaller volume flush. It will be appreciated that modularvalve assembly 10 may be easily converted to a single-volume flush valvesystem by replacing upper outflow tube section 20 with an overflow tubesection, as described in more detail below in reference to FIG. 22.

The slidable connection of lower outflow tube section 16 to upperoutflow tube section 20 allows the height of low volume flush valve 22to be adjusted relative to the height of high volume flush valve 18.This allows the volume of water discharged by low volume flush valve 22to be adjusted for toilet tanks of different sizes, permitting thevolume of water discharged by the low volume flush valve to be quicklyand easily adjusted over a wide range of volumes. This wide range ofadjustability allows valve system 10 to be used in essentially any newor existing gravity flush toilet system. Modular valve assembly 10 alsoincludes an overflow tube section 24, which also may be adjustable inheight to provide infinitesimal control of the low-volume flush. Asdescribed in more detail below, overflow tube section 24 may beconnected directly to lower outflow tube section 16 to form a singleflush-volume valve system with an adjustable overflow tube height ifdesired.

FIG. 1 also shows an example of a suitable setup for the operation ofvalve system 10 in a toilet. High volume flush valve 18 and low volumeflush valve 22 are both attached to a single flush wand 26, which isoperated by a handle 28. Low volume flush valve 22 is connected to flushwand 26 with a first, shorter length of chain 30, and high volume flushvalve 18 is connected to the flush wand with a second, longer length ofchain 32. Second length of chain 32 is configured to have more slackthan first length of chain 30. This allows low volume flush valve 22 tobe opened by pushing handle 28 only partially down when a low volumeflush is desired, and both the low volume flush valve and high volumeflush valve 18 to be opened by pushing handle 28 farther down when ahigher volume flush is desired. In the depicted embodiment, handle 28employs a special mechanism, described in more detail below, thatprevents the handle from being pushed far enough to open high volumeflush valve 18 unless a handle release button 34 is held down.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show modular valve assembly 10 in more detail. Asmentioned above, modular valve assembly 10 includes a base 14 configuredto couple the moldular valve assembly 10 to the bottom 40 of toilet tank12 and to pass water out of the toilet tank. In the depicted embodiment,base 14 takes the form of a spud, but it will be appreciated that base14 may have any other suitable configuration. Base 14 includes athreaded portion 42 that fits through toilet tank outflow hole 43, andis secured to bottom 40 of toilet tank 12 with a nut 44. The connectionmay be sealed with a gasket 46.

Lower outflow tube section 16 is connected to base 14, and includes ahollow upright portion 48 to which upper outflow tube section 20 iscoupled. Upright portion 48 supports upper outflow tube section 20 abovebase 14, and also channels water discharged through low volume flushvalve 22 through toilet tank outflow hole 43. Upright portion 48 mayhave any suitable configuration. For example, upright portion 48 mayhave a bend that offsets upper outflow tube section 20 relative to base14. In the depicted embodiment, however, upright portion 48 extendsdirectly above base 14, such that the hollow interior of upright portion48 is positioned directly above and in line with the opening in base 14.In this configuration, water discharged through low volume flush valve22 can pass straight down through lower outflow tube section 16 withoutany horizontal deflection, and thus may increase the continuous maximumwater volume and velocity of the flush.

Lower outflow tube section 16 also includes a lower side tube 50extending away from upright portion 48, which connects high volume flushvalve 18 to upright portion 48. Lower side tube 50 may have any suitableconfiguration, and may be positioned at any desired location on loweroutflow tube section 16. In the depicted embodiment, lower side tube 50is oriented generally parallel to toilet tank bottom 40, and ispositioned directly adjacent the toilet tank bottom. This places thelower edge of the lip 52 of high-volume valve 18 very close to thebottom of toilet tank, and thus permits essentially all of the water todrain from the tank when the high volume flush valve is opened. Whilehigh volume flush valve is connected to upright portion 48 with lowerside tube 50 in the depicted embodiment, it will be appreciated thathigh volume flush valve may also be attached directly to the side ofupright portion 48, without the use of lower side tube 50.

When water is discharged from toilet tank 12 via low volume flush valve22, it is possible that some water may flow into lower side tube 50. Todirect water discharged through low volume flush valve 22 away from theopening of lower side tube 50, valve system 10 may include a water flowdiverter disposed in the interior of lower outflow tube section 16. Thiswater flow diverter may have any suitable design. In the depictedembodiment, the water flow diverter takes the form of a plate 54attached with a hinge to the joint between lower side tube 50 andupright portion 48, within the hollow interior of lower outflow tubesection 16. In the absence of water flowing through lower side tube 50,plate 54 hangs downward across the opening to lower side tube 50, asshown in solid lines in FIG. 2. When water is discharged through lowvolume flush valve 22, plate 54 blocks the opening of lower side tube50, and thus prevents water from flowing into the lower side tube. Astop is positioned in lower side tube 50 to prevent plate 54 fromswinging into lower side tube 50 when water is flushed through lowvolume flush valve 22.

In contrast, when water is flushed through high volume flush valve 18,plate 54 is pushed away from the high volume flush valve by the water,as shown in dashed lines in FIG. 2. This allows the water to flow out ofside tube 50 and out of toilet tank 12. Alternatively, the water flowdiverter may take the form of a stationary barrier 59 that extendspartially over the opening of lower side tube 50, as shown in FIG. 3.

High volume flush valve 18 is configured to cover the end of lower sidetube 50 to control the discharge of water through the lower side tube.High volume flush valve 18 is thus positioned at the free end of lowerside tube 50, and is pivotally anchored to a pair of arms 57 located onupright portion 48. In the depicted embodiment, high volume flush valve18 is a flapper valve, but may also be any other suitable type of valve.High volume flush valve 18 may include a seal extension 56 that extendspast lower lip 52 of the high volume flush valve when the high volumeflush valve is in the closed position, shown in solid lines in FIG. 2.Seal extension 56 is configured to help prevent the opening of highvolume flush valve 18 by water flushed through low volume flush valve 22by increasing the total water pressure against the high volume flushvalve when the high volume flush valve is closed.

As mentioned above, upper outflow tube section 20 is slidably coupled toupright portion 48 of lower outflow tube section 16. This allows theheight of low volume flush valve 22 to be quickly and easily adjustedrelative to the height of high volume flush valve 18. FIG. 2 shows lowvolume flush valve 22 in a first, lower position relative to high volumeflush valve 18, and FIG. 3 shows the low volume flush valve in a second,higher position. Note that low volume flush valve 22 is farther from thesurface of the water in the toilet tank in FIG. 2, causing more water toflow out of the high-volume valve when it is opened. Another advantageof the use of a slidable joint is that the joint allows the height oflow volume flush valve to be chosen from a continuous range of possibleheights. The portion of lower outflow tube section 16 that receives theupper outflow tube section 20 may be referred to as a connectingportion, and may be configured also to receive overflow tube 68 to forma single flush-volume configuration, as described in more detail below.

The construction of the slidable joint between lower outflow tubesection 16 and upper outflow tube section 20 is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.Upper outflow tube section 16 includes an elongate neck 58 configured tofit within upright portion 48 of lower outflow tube section 20 such thatit may be slid into or out of the lower outflow tube section. Elongateneck 58 may have any desired length. Generally, a longer elongate neck58 provides for a greater range of height adjustability for low volumeflush valve 22. However, if elongate neck 58 has too great a length, itmay interfere with the flow of water through lower side tube 50. In thedepicted embodiment, elongate neck 58 is long enough to just reach thetop of lower side tube 50 when it is fully extended into lower outflowtube section 16. The position of upper outflow tube section 20 relativeto lower outflow tube section 16 may be fixed with a locking collar 60.In the depicted embodiment, locking collar 60 is a worm-drive clamp, butupper outflow tube section 20 may be fixed to lower outflow tube section16 with any other desired locking device. Furthermore, other suitablemethods for fixing upper outflow tube section 16 in position relative tolower outflow tube section 20, such as a friction mechanism using anO-ring seal, may also be used.

In addition to elongate neck 58, upper outflow tube section alsoincludes an upper side tube 62 and the aforementioned overflow tube 24.Upper side tube 62 connects low volume flush valve 22 to upright portion48, and provides a path for water to flow from low volume flush valve 22into elongate neck 58. Upper side tube 62 may have any suitableconfiguration, and may be located in any desired position on upperoutflow tube section 16. In the depicted embodiment, lower side tube 62extends diagonally upward from elongate neck 58. Low volume flush valve22 is positioned at the upper end of upper side tube 62, and ispivotally attached to a pair of arms 66 located on overflow tube 24. Inthe depicted embodiment, low volume flush valve 22 is a flapper valve,but it may also be any other suitable type of valve.

When upper outflow tube section 20 is raised or lowered relative tolower outflow tube section 16, the height of overflow tube 24 alsochanges. To compensate for this, or to permit the maximum water level ofthe toilet to be adjusted, overflow tube 24 may have an adjustableheight. In the depicted embodiment, overflow tube 24 has a slidableadjustment mechanism, although other mechanisms may be used. A slidingadjustment mechanism is preferable, as it allows the height of overflowtube 24 to be quickly adjusted to any desired height within a range ofpossible heights. In the depicted embodiment, overflow tube 24 is formedfrom an upper overflow tube section 68 that fits within a lower overflowtube section 70.

Lower overflow tube section 70 of the depicted embodiment is integralwith upper outflow tube section 20, and may include a locking collar 72for fixing the position of upper overflow tube section 68 relative tolower overflow tube section 70. A toilet bowl refill tube 74 (or othersuitable device) may be threaded into overflow tube 24 for refilling thetoilet bowl after a flush, or may be placed elsewhere in the toilettank.

Upper overflow tube section 68 may initially be provided with extralength to extend into lower outflow tube section 16. This extra lengthmay facilitate the conversion of modular valve system 10 between singleflush-volume and dual flush-volume configurations, as it may allow forthe use of a longer overflow tube in a single flush-volume configurationfor taller, narrower toilet tanks. However, the extra length of upperoverflow tube section 68 may also be cut off (or otherwise removed from)the upper overflow tube section, as indicated at 68′ in FIG. 3, whereused in a dual flush-volume configuration.

Where a single-volume flush system is desired, upper overflow tubesection 68 may be placed directly in lower outflow tube section 16,without the use of upper outflow tube section 20. This is depicted inFIG. 23. In this configuration, the height of the top of upper overflowtube section 68 may be adjusted simply by sliding overflow tube into orout of lower outflow tube section 16. Thus, in this manner, valveassembly 10 may be converted to a single flush-volume valve without thepurchase of any additional parts. It will be appreciated that the outerdiameter of upper overflow tube section 68 may be configured to be thesame as the outer diameter of elongate neck 58 so that the upper outflowtube section 68 fits snugly within lower outflow tube section 16. Inthis instance, lower overflow tube section 70 may have a may have aslightly larger diameter than elongate neck 58. Alternatively, loweroverflow tube section 70 may have substantially the same outer diameteras elongate neck 58. In this configuration, upper outflow tube section68 may have a slightly smaller outer diameter than elongate neck 58, andmay be secured in lower outflow tube 16 by tightening locking ring 60sufficiently, or through the use of a suitable gasket (not shown).

A second embodiment of a modular valve assembly according to the presentinvention is shown generally at 110 in FIG. 4. Modular valve assembly110 is similar in appearance and operation to the first embodiment, bututilizes a different upper outflow tube section, indicated at 120. Upperoutflow tube section 120 has an offset overflow tube 124, which allowslow volume flush valve 122 to be positioned directly over the base. Inthis configuration, water flushed through low volume flush valve 122passes directly downward from the low volume flush valve out of thetoilet tank, without any horizontal deflection. This may increase thecontinuous maximum water volume and velocity of the low-volume flush,and thus may lead to a more efficient flush.

Offset overflow tube 124 is formed from an upper overflow tube section168 slidably coupled to a lower overflow tube section 170. This allowsthe height of overflow tube 124 to be adjusted, and thus permits theoverflow tube height to be changed to compensate for changes in theheight of the low volume flush valve, or to change the maximum waterlevel in the toilet tank. A locking collar 172 may be provided to allowupper overflow tube section 168 to be fixed in position relative tolower overflow tube section 170. A pair of arms 166 may be provided onoverflow tube section 120 as a location for the attachment of low volumeflush valve 122. A refill tube 174 for refilling the toilet bowl after aflush may be attached to upper overflow tube section 168.

Positioning overflow tube 124 in an offset position also may allow theoverflow tube to have a greater range of adjustability than if it werepositioned directly over upper outflow tube section 120. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 4, lower overflow tube section 170 extendsbelow the upper edge 178 of upper outflow tube section 120, permittingthe length of upper overflow tube section 168 to be correspondinglyincreased for a greater range of adjustment.

As with the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, valve assembly 110 may be convertedto a single flush-volume valve configuration by removing upper outflowtube section 120, and attaching an overflow tube assembly such as thatshown at 1020 in FIG. 23, described in more detail below. Thus, a usermay simply and easily convert valve assembly 110 to a singleflush-volume configuration when desired.

FIGS. 5-8 show generally at 210 a third embodiment of a modular valveassembly according to present invention. Rather than a flapper-stylevalve system, modular valve assembly 210 provides a column-type valveassembly, in which an upright column structure 211 may be lifteddirectly upward along a guide 213 to open a space between the columnstructure and the valve base, thus allowing water to flow out of thetoilet tank. As shown in FIGS. 5-6, valve assembly 210 includes a base214 and the aforementioned column structure 211, which is formed of alower outflow tube section 216, an upper outflow tube section 218, a cappiece 220 and an overflow tube 222. Upper outflow tube section 218 isadjustably coupled to lower outflow tube section 216 to allow the volumeof the low-volume flush to be adjusted. Alternatively, cap piece 220 andoverflow tube 222 may be used alone with base 214, without lower outflowtube section 216 or upper outflow tube section 218, to form a singleflush-volume configuration of modular valve assembly 210 as shown at210′ in FIG. 25.

Base 214 is configured to couple modular valve assembly 210 to thebottom 40 of toilet tank 12 and to pass water out of the toilet tank. Inthe depicted embodiment, base 214 takes the form of a spud, but it willbe appreciated that base 214 may have any other suitable configuration.Base 214 includes a threaded portion 230 that fits through toilet tankoutflow hole 43, and is secured to bottom 40 of toilet tank 12 with anut 232. The connection may be sealed with a gasket 234.

Base 214 also includes an upper surface 236 that forms part of the highvolume flush valve. In the depicted embodiment, upper surface 236 is aflat surface configured to form a watertight seal with a gasket 238situated on lower outflow tube section 216. The high volume flush valveis opened by separating gasket 238 from upper surface 236 of base 214,permitting water to drain from toilet tank 12 through the base. Thegasket and upper surface are separated by pulling upwardly on a ring 239attached to upper outflow tube section 218, thus lifting columnstructure 211 along guide 213.

As described above, guide 213 extends upwardly from base 214 and guidesthe movement of column structure 211 when the lower outflow tube sectionis raised or lowered. Guide 213 may have any suitable configuration. Inthe depicted embodiment, guide 213 is formed from fourupwardly-extending ribs 240 arranged in a cross-like configuration, butmay have any other suitable configuration. Guide 213 may also include aseries of holes or raised portions 241 to reduce the noise of waterflowing down guide 213 as the toilet bowl is refilled after flushing.

Lower outflow tube section 216 includes a ring 242 that surrounds guide213 to hold column structure 211 centered on guide 213. Ring 242 isattached to the inside of lower outflow tube section 216 with one ormore plastic spacers 244, and travels along guide 213 as lower outflowtube section 216 is moved up or down to open or close the high volumeflush valve, respectively. Modular valve assembly 210 may have as manyrings 242 as desired for guiding lower outflow tube section 216 (andupper outflow tube section 218) along guide 213. Two rings 242 are shownin the depicted embodiment.

Lower outflow tube section 216 also includes a float 246. Float 246 isformed from a hollowed, air-containing chamber surrounding lower outflowtube section 216. When the high-volume valve is opened, float 246 holdsthe high-volume valve open until the water drains to the level of uppersurface 236 of base 214. One or more small holes 247 may be formed inthe bottom of float 246 to allow for the equalization of pressurebetween the float and the outside atmosphere. Holes 247 open into thehollow interior of lower outflow tube section 216 so that any water thatmay get inside of float 246 will drain out of the toilet tank.

Similar in operation to the high volume flush valve, the low volumeflush valve of modular valve assembly 210 is formed from the junction ofupper outflow tube section 218 and cap section 220. The seal of the lowvolume flush valve is formed between the top surface 250 of upperoutflow tube section 218 and a gasket 252 attached to the bottom of capsection 220. Separating gasket 252 from top surface 250 lifts capsection 220 along guide 213, and thus opens the high volume valve. Achain attachment ring 254 is disposed on cap section 220 to allow theattachment of a chain or wand so that cap section 220 may be lifted withwand 26, or another suitable mechanism. A float 256 formed in capsection 220 holds the low volume flush valve open until water drains tothe level of top surface 250. One or more small holes 257 may beprovided to allow the pressure within float 256 to equalize with theoutside atmosphere.

To allow the volume of the low-volume flush to be adjusted, upperoutflow tube section 218 is adjustably coupled to the upper portion oflower outflow tube section 216. Lower outflow tube section 216 and upperoutflow tube section 218 may be adjustably coupled in any desiredmanner. For example, the upper portion of lower outflow tube section 216and the lower portion of upper outflow tube section 218 may havecomplementary threads so that the height of the upper outflow tubesection may be adjusted by turning the upper outflow tube section. Inthe depicted embodiment, however, upper outflow tube section 218 isslidably coupled to lower outflow tube section. A suitable lockingdevice, such as a worm drive clamp 258, may be used to fix upper outflowtube section 218 in position relative to lower outflow tube section 216.

Overflow tube 222 is attached to the top portion of cap section 220, andmay have any suitable design for allowing excess water to drain fromtoilet tank 12. For example, overflow tube 222 may have a fixed heightrelative to cap section 220. In the depicted embodiment, however,overflow tube 222 has an adjustable height. This allows the height ofthe overflow tube to be adjusted to compensate for adjustments in theheight of the low volume flush valve, and also to allow the maximumwater level in the toilet tank to be adjusted.

Overflow tube 222 is formed from a lower overflow tube section 260slidably coupled to an upper overflow tube section 262. Lower overflowtube section 260 of the depicted embodiment is formed from a moldedtubular inner section of cap section 220, but may also be formed from aseparate tubular piece. Lower overflow tube section 260 preferably has adiameter that closely fits guide 213 so that guide 213 holds cap section220 centered over upper outflow tube section 218 and lower outflow tubesection 216. Upper overflow tube section 262 fits snugly within, oroutside of, the inner diameter of lower overflow tube section 260 sothat it may be slid upward or downward relative to the lower overflowtube section to adjust the height of overflow tube 222. A lockingdevice, such as a worm drive clamp 266 (or any other suitable device),may be used to fix the height of upper overflow tube section 262relative to lower overflow tube section 260.

To prevent cap piece 220 from being moved above the top of guide 213,guide 213 includes a stop 268 with a greater diameter than the diameterof upper overflow tube section 262. Stop 268 may be attached to guide213 in any suitable manner. In the depicted embodiment, cap 268 isconnected to guide 213 with a threaded connection.

Stop 268 may include a refill hole 270 configured to accept a toiletbowl refill line. In the depicted embodiment, guide 213 also includes arefill tube 272 extending downwardly from refill hole 270 past the levelof top surface 250 of upper outflow tube section 218. This helps toprevent water flowing through refill hole 270 from compromising theintegrity of the seal of the low volume flush valve.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate operation of the dual flush-volumeconfiguration of modular valve assembly 210. Referring to FIG. 7, whenthe entire column structure 211 is lifted from base 214, water can flowthrough the high volume flush valve formed by the gap between the loweroutflow tube section and the base, thus emptying essentially the wholetoilet tank. Next, referring to FIG. 8, when cap section 220 is liftedfrom upper outflow tube section 218, water can flow through the lowvolume flush valve formed by the gap between the upper outflow tubesection and the cap section, thus only partially emptying the toilettank.

Many types of flush mechanisms may be used to operate a toilet valveassembly according to the present invention. For example, a doublehandle system may be used, in which each outflow valve is operated by aseparate handle. FIGS. 9-13 illustrate another suitable flush mechanism310, which utilizes a single handle 28 that operates both flush valves.Ordinarily, handle 28 opens only the low volume flush valve. However,flush mechanism 310 includes a button 34 that may be depressed to allowoperation of the high volume flush valve with handle 28.

The construction of flush mechanism 310 is shown in detail in FIG. 9.Handle 28 attaches to the toilet tank with a cylindrical bushing 316configured to extend through a hole in the toilet tank wall. One end 318of bushing 316 is threaded so that bushing 316 can be attached to thetoilet tank with a nut 321. Nut 321 also holds a locking mechanism 320in place, described in more detail below.

Handle 28 is fixed to one end of a hollow rotatable member 322 thatextends through bushing 318. A flush wand 26 is attached to the otherend of hollow rotatable member 322 with a screw 325, or other suitablefastener. Thus, pushing handle 28 downwardly causes flush wand 26 torotate upwardly and pull open any valves connected to the flush wand.

As described earlier and shown in FIG. 1, flush wand 26 is connected toboth the low volume flush valve and the high volume flush valve. Flushwand 26 is connected to the low volume flush valve with a first, shorterconnector 327, and to the high volume flush valve with a second, longerconnector. Thus, when handle 28 is pushed, the low volume flush valve isopened after a first, lesser amount of rotation of rotatable member 322.The high volume flush valve is opened only after rotatable member 322travels through a second, greater amount of rotation.

To prevent handle 28 from rotating fully and opening the high volumeflush valve during ordinary use, flush mechanism 310 may include ahigh-volume flush control. The high-volume flush control typically hasat least two possible states: a first state in which the opening of thehigh volume flush valve is prevented, and a second state in which theopening of the high volume flush valve is enabled. The first state willtypically be the default state of the flush mechanism. Thus, a user'sreflexive pushing of handle 28 will result in a low-volume flush. Incontrast, the user generally must make a cognitive step in order tooperate the high-volume flush. For example, in the depicted embodiment,the high-volume flush control prevents handle 28 from rotating farenough to open the high volume flush valve unless button 34 is depressedwhile pushing on handle 28.

The high-volume flush control includes a slidable member 326 extendingthrough the interior of wand rotation tube 322. Button 34 is disposed onone end of slidable member 326, and a wand rotation stop 328 is disposedon the other end. When button 34 is not depressed, wand rotation stop328 extends snugly over the top of flush wand 26. This is the firststate of the high-volume flush control of flush mechanism 310. The topsurface 330 of flush wand 26 is flat, causing wand rotation stop 328 torotate when the flush wand is rotated. When button 34 is depressed,however, wand rotation stop 328 is pushed away from top surface 330 offlush wand 26. Thus, slidable member 326 thus is not rotated with thewand. This is the second state of the high-volume flush control of flushmechanism 310. A spring 332 may be disposed around wand rotation lockshaft 326 to bias wand rotation stop 328 into the first state by pushingagainst the outside of the toilet tank.

The rotational travel path of flush wand 26 is limited by two appendageson locking mechanism 320. First, locking mechanism 320 has a wand restsupport 334 that holds flush wand 26 in the rest position when handle 28is not being operated. Second, locking mechanism 320 has a wand rotationstopping member 336. Wand rotation stopping member 336 is configured tobe a barrier to the rotation of flush wand 26 past the point at whichthe low volume flush valve is opened, unless button 34 is depressed. Asdescribed above and illustrated in FIGS. 10-11, when button 34 is notdepressed, wand rotation stop 328 turns with flush wand 26. Thus, wandrotation stop 328 contacts wand rotation stopping member 336 after flushwand 26 has been rotated far enough to open the low-volume valve, andthus prevents the flush wand from being turned further. Wand rotationstopping member 336 may include an adjustment mechanism, typically asmall screw 338, to allow the exact stop position of flush wand 26 to befine-adjusted.

In contrast, when button 34 is depressed, wand rotation stop 328 isdisengaged from flush wand 26, and does not turn with the wand. It thusdoes not contact wand rotation stopping member 336 as handle 28 ispushed, and does not stop rotation of flush wand 26. This is shown inFIGS. 12-13. In this instance, flush wand 26 is free to turn far enoughto open the high volume flush valve and to thus allow the entire toilettank to drain. Once the toilet tank has drained, flush wand 26 returnsto its rest position against wand rest support 334, and wand rotationstop 328 is moved back into position over flush wand 26 by spring 332,readying the toilet for a low volume flush.

FIG. 14 illustrates a second embodiment of a flush mechanism suitablefor use with a dual-flush valve assembly, generally at 410. Flushmechanism 410 is similar to flush mechanism 310 in many aspects. Forexample, flush mechanism 410 includes a hollow rotatable member 412 thatextends through a bushing 414 configured to be mounted to the toilettank wall. A handle 416 is attached to one end of rotatable member 412,and a first flush wand 418 is attached to the other end of rotatablemember 412.

Furthermore, flush mechanism 410 also has a high-volume flush control.The high-volume flush control includes a slidable member 420 thatextends through the hollow interior of rotatable member 412. A wandrotation stop 422 is attached to one end of slidable member 420, and abutton 424 may be attached to the other end of the slidable member.Button 424 may be pressed to move wand rotation stop 422 from its firststate, positioned over first flush wand 418, to its second state, inwhich it is not positioned over first flush wand 418. For a more securefit, slidable member 420 may include raised portions or flutings 425 tomate with complementary flutings 427 within button 424.

Unlike flush mechanism 310, however, flush mechanism 410 includes asecond flush wand 426 to open the high volume flush valve. Second flushwand 426 is mounted to an extension 428 of slidable member 420, whichmay include flutings 430 to hold second flush wand 426 more securely.Second flush wand is lifted by a lifting member 432 disposed on firstflush wand 418 that extends outwardly from the first flush wand. Thus,second flush wand is lifted when first flush wand is lifted bymanipulation of handle 416. Lifting member 432 of the depictedembodiment has an elongate, generally flat shape, but it will beappreciated that any other lifting member may be used without departingfrom the scope of the present invention.

The use of lifting member 432 helps to increase the velocity of thewater exiting the toilet tank during a high volume flush, as waterflowing through the low volume flush valve may be able to reach a highervelocity due to its longer fall through the lower outflow tube section,and thus may increase the overall momentum of the water flowing out ofthe toilet tank. Furthermore, the opening of the low volume flush valvealong with the high volume flush valve during a high-volume flush mayhelp to eliminate air within the lower and upper outflow tube sectionsduring a high-volume flush. This may help to improve the smooth flow ofwater out of the toilet tank during a high-volume flush. It will beappreciated that any other suitable mechanism for opening the low volumeflush valve and the high volume flush valve at the same time may beused. For example, both the low volume flush valve and the high volumeflush valve may be attached to the high volume flush wand via separatecords or chains.

Operation of flush mechanism 410 is similar to that of flush mechanism310. Depressing handle 416 when wand rotation stop 422 is in the firststate causes the wand rotation stop 422 to contact a stopping member438, thus preventing the high volume flush valve from being opened.However, when button 424 is depressed, moving wand rotation stop 422into its second state, the wand rotation stop does not rotate withhandle 416, thus permitting the handle to be turned sufficiently far toopen the high volume flush valve. A spring 440 may be provided to biasbutton 424 outwardly, and thus to bias wand rotation stop 422 into thefirst state. Also, an elastic cord 434 may be attached between wand restsupport 436 and either low volume flush wand 418, high volume flush wand426, or both flush wands to bring the flush wands down to the restposition after a flush is completed.

Indicator symbols 442 may be molded into, printed on, or otherwiseprovided on handle 416, button 424, and/or flush wands 418 and 426 toindicate which flush wands are controlled by the handle and button. Theindicator symbols also may indicate which flush handle is used to flushwhich type of waste. For example, liquid waste is often referred to as“number one” by many people, and especially children, while solid wasteis often referred to as “number two.” Where handle 416 and button 424have the indicator symbols shown in FIG. 14, a user, and especially ayoung user, may easily determine which part is to be used to flush whichtype of waste. This may allow a child to be trained at a young age touse the water-saving low volume flush to flush liquid wastes.

FIG. 15 depicts a third embodiment of a flush mechanism suitable for usewith a dual-volume flush valve according to the present invention,generally at 510. Flush mechanism 510 is similar to flush mechanisms 310and 410 in many aspects. For example, flush mechanism 510 includes ahollow rotatable member 512 that extends through a bushing 514configured to be mounted to the toilet tank wall. A handle 516 isattached to one end of rotatable member 514, and a low volume flush wand518 is attached to the other end of rotatable member 514. Flushmechanism 510 also has a high-volume flush control including a slidablemember 520 that extends through the hollow interior of rotatable member512. A high volume flush wand 528 is disposed on the end of slidablemember 520.

However, unlike flush mechanisms 310 and 410, flush mechanism 510includes a wand rotation engagement bracket 522 attached to a button 524coupled to the end of slidable member 520. Wand rotation engagementbracket 522 is configured to engage a complementary raised portion 526on rotatable member 514 to cause slidable member 520 to turn withrotatable member 514 when button 524 is depressed and handle 516 ispushed.

As with the other embodiments described above, flush mechanism 510 hastwo states. In the first state, when button 524 is not pushed inwardlyby a user, wand rotation bracket 522 does not engage raised portion 526on rotatable member 514 when handle 516 is depressed. Thus, slidablemember 520 is not turned with rotatable member 514. However, in thesecond state, when button 524 is depressed, raised portion 526 engageswand rotation engagement bracket 522 when handle 516 is depressed. Thiscauses slidable member 520 to turn with handle 516, thus lifting highvolume flush wand 528 and causing the high volume flush valve to beopened. A spring 530 may be included between button 524 and rotatablemember 514 to bias wand rotation engagement bracket 522 into the firststate. Also, an elastic cord 532 may be attached to high volume flushwand 528 and another part of flush mechanism, such as a wand restsupport 534, to return the high-volume flush to its rest position oncethe flush is finished.

FIG. 16 shows, generally at 610, another embodiment of a flush mechanismsuitable for use with a valve assembly of the present invention. Valveassembly 610 has similarities to other embodiments described above. Forexample, flush mechanism 610 includes a hollow rotatable member 612 thatextends through a bushing 614 configured to be mounted to the toilettank wall. A handle 616 is attached to one end of rotatable member 612,and a low volume flush wand 618 is attached to the other end ofrotatable member 612. Also, a slidable member 620 extends through thehollow interior of rotatable member 612.

However, the high-volume flush control of flush mechanism 610 operatesdifferently from those of the embodiments described above. Wherein thehigh-volume flush controls of flush mechanisms 310, 410 and 510 arechanged between states by pushing a button, flush mechanism 610 ischanged between states by pulling slidable member 620 outwardly. Thehigh volume flush valve may then be opened by turning slidable member620.

To prevent the high volume flush valve from being opened when in thefirst state, bushing 614 includes a flange 622 with a depression 624.Depression 624 is configured to receive a complementary extension 626disposed on an outer cap piece 628, which is attached to the end ofslidable member 620.

The operation of flush mechanism 610 is as follows. Low volume flushwand 618 may be opened simply by pushing on handle 616. High volumeflush wand 630, however, may not be opened simply by turning cap piece628. When in the first state, extension 626 is positioned withindepression 624, preventing cap piece 628 from being turned. Therefore,cap piece 628 must first be pulled outwardly, and then turned, to lifthigh volume flush wand 630. A spring 632 may be included to bias cappiece 628 into the first state, and elastic cords 634 and 636 may beincluded to pull high volume flush wand 630 and low volume flush wand618, respectively, to their rest positions after use. Also, handles mayhave a numerical (or other) code to depict visually the correspondencebetween a selected handle and its associated flush valve. In thedepicted embodiment, handle 616 and wand 618 each include a number “1”,shown at 635 and 635′, respectively. Similarly, cap piece 628 and wand630 each include a number “2”, shown at 637 and 637′, respectively.

A lifting member 640 for communicating motion between high volume flushwand 630 and low volume flush wand 618 may be provided if desired. Inthe depicted embodiment, lifting member 640 is fixed to low volume flushwand 618, and extends over high volume flush wand 630. When low volumeflush wand 618 is lifted, lifting member 640 does not affect high volumeflush wand 618. However, when high volume flush wand 630 is lifted, thehigh volume flush wand 630 lifts lifting member 640, which in turn liftslow volume flush wand 618. This causes the low volume flush valve toopen whenever the high volume flush valve is opened, and may help todecrease the amount of time necessary to empty the toilet tank.

Cap piece 628 may have any suitable shape. For example, cap piece 628may have a flat configuration with a generally round circumference, ormay have a shape like a traditional toilet handle. However, in thedepicted embodiment, cap piece 628 includes a contoured extension 638with a downwardly-curved perimeter configured generally to fit the shapeof a finger of a user. In the depicted embodiment, contoured extension638 is positioned such that a user pulls upwardly on the contouredextension to actuate a high-volume flush, and thus may be more awkwardto use than handle 616. This may make it less likely that a user willuse the high-volume flush for situations in which it is not needed.However, it will be appreciated that contoured extension 638 may beplaced in any other desired position on handle 616.

FIG. 21 shows another example of suitable configurations for the handleand cap piece. Here, handle 916 and cap piece 928 have shapes thatcommunicate to a user which valve is controlled by each part. Forexample, handle 916 may have the shape of the number “1” to show thatthe handle corresponds to low volume flush wand 918, which may belabeled with a number “1”, as described above. Likewise, cap piece 928may have the shape of the number “2” to show that the handle correspondsto high volume flush wand 928, which may be labeled with a number “2”,as described above.

The handle 916 and cap piece 928 of FIG. 21 also may indicate which partis used to flush which type of waste. For example, liquid waste is oftenreferred to as “number one” by many people, and especially children,while solid waste is often referred to as “number two.” Where handle 916and cap piece 928 have the shapes shown in FIG. 21, a user, andespecially a young user, may easily determine which part is to be usedto flush which type of waste. This may allow a child to be trained at ayoung age to use the water-saving low volume flush to flush liquidwastes.

FIG. 17 illustrates generally at 710 another flush mechanism suitablefor use with a valve system according to the present invention. Like theother flush mechanisms described above, flush mechanism 710 includes ahollow rotatable member 712 that extends through a bushing 714configured be mounted to the toilet tank wall. A low volume flush handle716 is attached to one end of rotatable member 714, and a low volumeflush wand 718 is attached to the other end of rotatable member 714.

Flush mechanism 710 also includes an elongate member 720 extendingthrough the hollow interior of rotatable member 714. Unlike thecorresponding piece in the prior embodiments, however, elongate member714 is not slidable through the hollow interior of rotatable member 714.Instead, elongate member 720 is independently rotatable.

A high volume flush wand 722 is attached to one end of elongate member720, and a high volume flush handle 724 is attached to the other end.High volume flush handle 724 has a shape configured to be somewhat moreawkward to use than low volume flush handle 716. Therefore, when a userreflexively operates flush mechanism 710, the user will typically pushon low volume flush handle 716. Likewise, when the user desires ahigh-volume flush, the user must cognitively decide to operate thesomewhat more awkward high volume flush handle 724. This may besufficient to prevent the user from flushing a full toilet tank of waterin the absence of a decision that a high-volume flush is needed.

FIGS. 18-20 illustrate yet another flush mechanism suitable for use withthe present invention, generally at 810. Rather than employing a handlethat operates a rotatable member to lift a flush wand, flush mechanism810 employs a pullable member 812 that can be pulled a first, shorterdistance to open low volume flush valve 22, or a second, greaterdistance to open high volume flush valve 18. Pullable member 812 extendsthrough an opening in the top of toilet tank 12, which may be fittedwith a bushing 814. Pullable member 812 of the depicted embodiment takesthe form of an elongate, tubular form member, but have any other desiredshape and construction. A handle 815 may be provided on pullable member812 to facilitate use of flush mechanism 810, and a collar 817 may bedisposed about the perimeter of pullable member 812 to support pullablemember 812 at a desired height relative to the top of toilet tank 12while at rest.

Pullable member 812 is connected to low volume flush valve 22 with afirst, longer connector 816, and to high volume flush valve 18 with asecond, shorter connector 818. Thus, as pullable member 812 is pulledupwardly, shorter connector 818 opens low volume flush valve 22 beforelonger connector 816 is able to open high volume flush valve 18.

To prevent the inadvertent opening of high volume flush valve 18, flushmechanism 810 also includes a high-volume flush control having a movableblocking member 820. Blocking member 820 is configured to have both ablocking position, corresponding to a first state of the high-volumeflush control, and a retracted position, corresponding to a second stateof the high-volume flush control. The blocking position is configured toprevent pullable member 812 from being pulled sufficiently far to openhigh volume flush valve 18 unless it is moved to the retracted position.

Blocking member 820 may have any suitable configuration. In the depictedembodiment, blocking member 820 takes the form of a lever mounted to theinterior of pullable member 812 with a pivot 822. Blocking member 820 isattached to pivot 822 at a location approximately midway between theends of blocking member 820, but may be attached at any other suitablepoint.

One end of blocking member 820 extends outwardly from the interior ofpullable member 812 through a slot 824, and the other end is coupled toone end of an actuating member 826. Actuating member 826 is also coupledto a button 828 positioned at the top of pullable member 812. Button 828may be depressed by a user to move actuating member 826 downward, whichin turn pushes on the end of blocking member 820, causing the protrudingend of blocking member 820 to pivot and retract through slot 824 intothe interior of pullable member 812. A biasing element such as a spring829 may be included to bias blocking member 820 into the blockingposition.

The operation of flush mechanism 810 is illustrated in FIGS. 19-20.Referring first to FIG. 19, when button 828 is not depressed, blockingmember 820 extends outwardly from the interior of pullable member 812.When pullable member 812 is pulled upwardly to flush the toilet, butblocking member 820 contacts the inside surface of the top of toilettank 12 before the high volume flush valve has been opened, preventingthe pullable member from being pulled far enough to open the high volumeflush valve.

Referring next to FIG. 20, when button 828 is depressed, blocking member820 is retracted into the interior of pullable member 812. Thus, whenpullable member 812 is pulled upwardly, blocking member 820 does notcontact the inside surface of the top of toilet tank 12, allowing thepullable member to be pulled far enough to open the high volume flushvalve. A stop 830 may be disposed at a desired location on pullablemember 812 to prevent the pullable member from being pulled completelythrough the top of the toilet tank. Furthermore, an elastic cord 832 maybe attached to pullable member 812 to return the pullable member to therest position after use.

FIG. 22 shows generally at 1000 another exemplary single flush-volumeconfiguration of a modular outflow valve assembly according to thepresent invention. Valve assembly 1000 includes a base 1002 configuredto be attached to the bottom 1004 of a toilet tank. Valve assembly 1000also includes a lower outflow tube section 1006. Lower outflow tubesection 1006 is similar to those shown above in the embodiments of FIGS.1-3 and 4. However, side tube 1008 includes a pair of arms 1010 coupledto an upright post 1012 to which a flush valve 1014 is connected. Sidetube 1008 also includes a support 1016 to support the side tube againstthe bottom of the toilet tank. It will be appreciated, however, that thelower outflow tube sections of either of the embodiments of FIGS. 1-3and 4 may be used in place of the depicted lower outflow tube section1006.

Lower outflow tube section 1006 also includes a generally uprightportion 1018 configured to accept the insertion of an overflow tubeassembly 1020. Overflow tube assembly 1020 includes a lower overflowtube section 1022 configured to fit snugly within the inner diameter ofupright portion 1018 of lower outflow tube section 1006. The height oflower overflow tube section 1022 may be adjusted by sliding loweroverflow tube section 1022 into our out of lower outflow tube section1006, and may be fixed in a desired position via locking collar 1026.

Overflow tube assembly 1020 also includes an upper overflow tube section1028. Upper overflow tube section 1028 is configured to fit within loweroverflow tube section 1022, and to be slidably adjustable with respectto the lower overflow tube section to provide an additional measure ofadjustability for the height of the overflow tube assembly. In thedepicted embodiment, upper overflow tube section 1028 is configured tofit snugly within a top portion of lower overflow tube section 1022, andmay be secured in a desired position with a locking collar 1030.However, it will be appreciated that upper overflow tube section 1028may have any suitable diameter, and may be secured in place via anysuitable mechanism.

Valve assembly 1000 may be converted to a dual flush valve assemblysimply by removing overflow tube assembly 1020 from lower outflow tubesection 1006, and replacing the overflow tube assembly with an upperoutflow tube section having a low volume flush valve. Examples ofsuitable upper outflow tube sections include, but are not limited to,upper outflow tube sections 20 of FIG. 1 and 120 of FIG. 4. Where upperoutflow tube section 20 of FIG. 1 is used, overflow tube assembly 1020may be inserted into the lower overflow tube section 70 of upper outflowtube section 20. Thus, valve assembly 1000 allows a user to quickly andeasily convert the valve between single flush-volume and doubleflush-volume configurations without having to purchase an entirely newvalve assembly, and without having to detach the valve assembly from thebottom of a toilet tank. Furthermore, the embodiments disclosed hereinallow a manufacturer to make individual parts that may be used in eithersingle or dual flush-volume configurations.

FIG. 24 shows, generally at 1100, yet another possible configuration ofa modular valve system according to the present invention. Valveassembly 1100 is formed from a combination of a lower outflow tubesection 1112 similar to that of the embodiment of FIGS. 22-23, and anupper outflow tube section 1114 and cap section 1116 similar to that ofthe embodiment of FIGS. 5-8. Valve assembly 1110 includes a high volumeflush valve 1118 positioned on lower outflow tube section 1112, and alow volume flush valve 1120 formed from the junction of upper outflowtube section 1114 and cap section 1116. As with the previousembodiments, upper outflow tube section 1114 is slidably coupled tolower outflow tube section 1112 to allow the height of low volume flushvalve 1120 to be adjusted.

Valve assembly 1110 also includes a base 1122 configured to couple thevalve assembly to the bottom of the toilet tank and to pass water out ofthe toilet tank. Furthermore, a guide 1117 extends upwardly from base1122 to guide cap section 1116 when it is lifted to discharge water fromthe toilet tank.

Lower outflow tube section 1112 is similar in appearance and function tothe lower outflow tube section of the embodiment of FIGS. 22-23. Loweroutflow tube section 1112 is connected to base 1122, and includes ahollow upright portion 1130 to which upper outflow tube section 1114 iscoupled. Upright portion 1130 supports upper outflow tube section 1114above base 1122, and also channels water discharged through low volumeflush valve 1120. It will be appreciated that numerous modifications,including the examples described above for the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3,may be made to lower outflow tube 1112 without departing from the scopeof the present invention.

Lower outflow tube section 1112 also includes a side tube 1132 extendingaway from upright portion 1130. Side tube 1132 connects high volumeflush valve 1118 to upright portion 1130. As with the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-3, side tube 1132 is oriented generally parallel to the toilettank bottom, and is positioned directly adjacent the toilet tank bottom.This places the lower edge of high volume flush valve 1118 close to thetoilet tank bottom, allowing essentially the entire volume of water inthe toilet tank to be flushed through high volume flush valve 1118.Instead of using side tube 1132, high volume flush valve 1118 may alsobe positioned directly on the side of upright portion 1130 withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention.

In contrast to high volume flush valve 1118, low volume flush valve 1120is similar in appearance and function to the low volume flush valve ofthe embodiment of FIGS. 5-8. The seal of low volume flush valve 1120 isformed between the top surface 1134 of upper outflow tube section 1114and a gasket 1136 attached to the bottom of cap section 1116. Separatinggasket 1136 from top surface 1134 lifts cap section 1116 along guide1117, and thus opens low volume flush valve 1120. A float 1140 formed incap section 1116 holds low volume flush valve 1120 open until waterdrains to the level of top surface 1134.

As with the embodiment of FIGS. 5-8, lower outflow tube section 1112 andupper outflow tube section 1114 may be adjustably coupled in any desiredmanner. In the depicted embodiment, upper outflow tube section 1114 isslidably coupled to lower outflow tube section 1112. The outer diameterof upper outflow tube section 1114 is slightly smaller than the innerdiameter of lower outflow tube section 1112. Thus, upper outflow tubesection 1114 fits within inner outflow tube section 1112 in a telescopicmanner. A suitable locking device, such as a worm drive clamp, may beused to fix upper outflow tube section 1114 in position relative tolower outflow tube section 1112. It will be appreciated that upperoutflow tube section 1114 may also fit around the outside of loweroutflow tube section 1112 without departing from the scope of thepresent invention.

To prevent water from overflowing the toilet tank, outflow valveassembly 1110 also has an overflow tube 1144. The height of overflowtube 1144 may be configured to be adjustable so that it may be changedto compensate for changes in the height of the low volume flush valve,and also to allow the maximum water level in the toilet tank to beadjusted. Overflow tube 1144 is formed from a lower overflow tubesection 1146 slidably coupled to an upper overflow tube section 1148.The outer diameter of upper overflow tube section 1148 is slightlysmaller than the inner diameter of lower overflow tube section 1146, andthus fits within the lower overflow tube section in a telescopic manner.A locking device, such as a worm drive clamp 1150, may be used to fixthe height of upper overflow tube section 1148 relative to loweroverflow tube section 1146. Alternatively, upper overflow tube section1148 may also be configured to fit around the outside of lower overflowtube section 1146 in a telescopic manner.

Although the present disclosure includes specific embodiments, specificembodiments are not to be considered in a limiting sense, becausenumerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the presentdisclosure includes all novel and nonobvious combinations andsubcombinations of the various elements, features, functions, and/orproperties disclosed herein. The following claims particularly point outcertain combinations and subcombinations regarded as novel andnonobvious. These claims may refer to “an” element or “a first” elementor the equivalent thereof. Such claims should be understood to includeincorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring norexcluding two or more such elements. Other combinations andsubcombinations of features, functions, elements, and/or properties maybe claimed through amendment of the present claims or throughpresentation of new claims in this or a related application. Suchclaims, whether broader, narrower, equal, or different in scope to theoriginal claims, also are regarded as included within the subject matterof the present disclosure.

1. An outflow valve assembly for a toilet tank, comprising: a base, thebase including an opening for passing water out of the toilet tank; avalve portion including a lower outflow tube section extending upwardlyfrom the base, and having a hollow interior, the valve portion alsoincluding a flush valve for discharging water from the toilet tank whenopened; and an upper overflow tube section having a position relative tothe valve portion, the upper overflow tube section being adjustablycoupled to and extending vertically upward from the lower outflow tubesection.
 2. The outflow valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the positionof the upper overflow tube section is infinitely adjustable relative tothe valve portion.
 3. The outflow valve assembly of claim 1, wherein theupper overflow tube section is slidably coupled to the lower outflowtube section.
 4. The outflow valve assembly of claim 3, furthercomprising a locking collar mounted to the lower outflow tube sectionfor fixing the position of the upper overflow tube section relative tothe valve portion.
 5. The outflow valve assembly of claim 1, wherein thelower outflow tube section has a longitudinal axis, and the upperoverflow tube section has a longitudinal axis that is parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the lower outflow tube section.
 6. The outflowvalve assembly of claim 5, wherein the longitudinal axes of the loweroverflow tube section and the upper overflow tube section arecoincident.
 7. The outflow valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the loweroutflow tube section further includes a side, and the flush valveincludes a flapper valve disposed on the side of the lower outflow tubesection.
 8. The outflow valve assembly of claim 7, wherein the valveportion further includes a hollow and generally horizontal side tubepositioned between the flush valve and the side of the lower outflowtube section.
 9. The outflow valve assembly of claim 8, wherein thetoilet tank has a bottom, and wherein the side tube is generallyparallel to the bottom of the toilet tank.
 10. The outflow valveassembly of claim 1, wherein the base further includes a surface, andthe lower outflow tube section rests on the base and has a surfaceconfigured to rest against the surface of the base such that separatingthe surface of the lower outflow tube section from the surface of thebase discharges water from the toilet tank.
 11. The outflow valveassembly of claim 10, wherein the valve portion further includes alighter-than-water segment.
 12. The outflow valve assembly of claim 11,wherein the lighter-than-water segment includes a float having a hollow,air-containing chamber that generally surrounds the lower outflow tubesection and that is in fluid communication with the opening in the base.13. An outflow valve assembly for a toilet tank, the toilet tank havinga bottom, comprising: a base configured to be coupled to the toilettank, the base including an opening for passing water out of the toilettank; a valve portion including a flush valve and a lower outflow tubesection, the lower outflow tube section extending upwardly from the baseand having a hollow interior and a side, the valve portion furtherincluding a hollow and generally horizontal side tube that joins theflush valve to the side of the lower outflow tube section fordischarging water from the toilet tank when opened, the flush valveincluding a flapper valve mounted to the side tube, and the side tubebeing generally parallel to the bottom of the toilet tank; an upperoverflow tube section having a position relative to the valve portion,the upper overflow tube section being slidingly coupled to and extendingvertically upwards from the lower outflow tube section; and a lockingcollar mounted to the lower outflow tube section for fixing the positionof the upper overflow tube section relative to the valve portion.
 14. Anoutflow valve assembly for a toilet tank, comprising: a base configuredto be coupled to the toilet tank, the base including a surface and anopening for passing water out of the toilet tank; a cap piece resting onthe base including: a surface configured to rest against the surface ofthe base such that separating the surface of the cap piece from thesurface of the base discharges water from the toilet tank, a loweroverflow tube section disposed integral to the cap piece, the loweroverflow tube section having a hollow interior, and the cap piece alsoincluding a lighter-than water segment which has a hollow,air-containing chamber that generally surrounds the lower overflow tubesection and that is in fluid communication with the opening in the base;an upper overflow tube section having a position relative to the cappiece, the upper overflow tube section being slidingly coupled to andextending vertically upwards from the lower overflow tube section; and alocking collar mounted to the lower overflow tube section for fixing theposition of the upper overflow tube section relative to the cap piece.15. A toilet including the outflow valve assembly of claim
 1. 16. Atoilet including the outflow valve assembly of claim
 13. 17. A toiletincluding the outflow valve assembly of claim 14.